How do you feel about embracing Ireland’s native tongue? At odds after a tricky relationship at school? Maybe you’ve given up, or don’t know where to start?
Well, is fada an bóthar nach mbíonn casadh ann – long is the road that has no turn and, in this book, the road is about to turn.
[ About Gaeilge i mo Chroí ]
Molly Nic Céile – creator of social media sensation for Irish-language learners and lovers Gaeilge i Mo Chroí – invites us to connect with Irish in our hearts, as we set out on a journey of renewed pride sa Ghaeilge.
Using seanfhocail agus scéalta, proverbs and stories, and with plenty of craic along the way – including the hilarious ‘if Irish were English’ approach to better understanding sentence structure – the book offers guidance on bringing Irish into our everyday lives, supported by useful word and phrase glossaries throughout.
Connect with an Ghaeilge you didn’t know you knew, embrace na botúin – the mistakes – and discover the richness that our beautiful language – ár dteanga álainn – has to offer.
[ My Thoughts ]
Gaeilge i mo Chroí – Irish in my Heart: Your Guide to Loving and Living the Irish Language by Molly Nic Céile just published September 5th with Hachette Ireland. It’s a treasure-trove of insights, tips and tricks for many, like myself, whose relationship with the Irish language is complex, as well as anyone, no matter their origin, interested in learning the cúpla focail (few words). I studied Irish as a core subject in school from the age of four to seventeen, yet if you put me in a room with a bunch of fluent speakers I would panic and slowly back out the door. Why is this? Where did it all go so terribly wrong that I can barely string a sentence of Irish together without an inbuilt fear of making a mistake and embarrassing myself? To be able to converse in your native tongue should be a given and not the exception. Many of us turned our back on Irish and to be honest the way it was taught most certainly did not encourage many of us to embrace it and love it as we should.
Over the past few years there has been a resurgence in the language and I now love the fact that both of my children have been educated through the medium of Irish. Initially when we toyed with the idea of sending them both to a local Gaelscoil (primary school) we were hesitant but it was one of the best decisions we made. They both continued through their secondary education through Irish and I am continuously blown away by their ability to study STEM subjects as Gaeilge (through Irish). Recently we had a visitor from Australia, a relative who was originally from Ireland but emigrated years ago. Every time he comes back for a visit, he attends a week at an Irish College in Donegal to sharpen his ability to speak Irish. He completely embraces the language and is clearly very proud of his mother tongue. It was a delight to see him chat to my daughters in Irish and I must admit I felt quite proud of them.
Many of you, I’m sure, have heard of Kneecap, the hip hop trio from Northern Ireland who rap in English and Irish. I went to the cinema to see the recent biopic and was just astounded at their love and passion for the Irish language. Their views and the words of their songs may be considered controversial by some, but these lads are so enthusiastic for the language and their dedication to promoting it is admirable. And of course I also have to mention the beautiful Irish language Oscar nominated movie An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) which is based on Claire Keegan’s novel, Foster and was widely acclaimed as a stunning piece of work.
Among the recent surge of online content creators is Molly Nic Céile, a young Gaeilgeoir who is one of the many young people who are part of the Irish language revival. Approximately five years ago Molly began her YouTube and Instagram accounts under the name, Gaeilge i mo chroí, with a combined following, at the moment, of nearly 80,000. Molly is extremely passionate about bringing people together via in-person and online events to speak the language and spread the word that the Irish language is something to be proud of and something we need to cherish together as a people.
Gaeilge in mo Chroí is described as ‘a guide to loving and living the Irish Language’ and it is a valuable reference tool, offering an instructive yet fun resource for anyone, either native or otherwise, with an interest in developing their knowledge of the Irish language. It’s really wonderful to witness this resurgence in the Irish language and to see the pride that is now so clearly attached to it. Comhghairdeas a Mholly!! (Congratulations Molly)
[ Bio ]
In 2019, Molly Nic Céile began Gaeilge i mo chroí -Irish in my heart – the succesful YouTube channel and Instagram account. She creates content to share her passion for the Irish language and knowledge to help and inspire learners. With 70k+ followers across social media accounts and some videos garnering close to a million views, Gaeilge i mo chroí is a go-to on the internet for Irish language learners. Molly hosts and attends events online and offline that bring Irish language learners together, such as Pop-up Gaeltacht events. She also uses her platform to advocate for mental health and was invited to speak about the important issue on BBC Raidió Uladh in 2023.
Gaeilge i Mo Chroí – Irish In My Heart is her first book.
Great post Mairead. There’s a similar resurgence in interest in Scots Gaelic. I studied it for a year at uni many moons ago and my daughter studied it in first year at uni. I don’t remember much to be honest but can say hello, thank you and how are you. And of course I know the word for whisky!
Thanks Joanne. That’s great to hear that Scots Gaelic is also having a revival. Such a shame how the languages faded so much in the past.